Beats @ Healthy Street Health Fair At the Bradenton Farmers Market March 12 Ÿ 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Beats at Healthy Street, a health fair sponsored by the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County, features free health screenings, cooking demos, yoga and more

Beats at Healthy Street, a health fair sponsored by the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County, features free health screenings, cooking demos, yoga and more!

It’s More Than A Market!

BRADENTON, FL— Beat a path to good health at Beats @ Healthy Street, a free community health fair at the Bradenton Farmers Market, Saturday, March 12, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free health screening, healthy cooking demos, games, prizes, and mini yoga and Zumba classes are just a few of the activities being offered alongside exhibits covering a number of timely health topics.

Sponsored by the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County, the Beats @ Healthy Street health fair features more than a dozen exhibitors and a full slate of engaging games, classes, giveaways and other activities in the inspired atmosphere of the Bradenton Farmers Market. Health information topics and services will include blood pressure and blood glucose screenings, healthy living for children and teens, disease prevention, women’s health and information resources, WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program information, tobacco prevention and cessation, and more.

“The Farmers Market is the perfect venue for this event,” says Lisa Ramirez, Community Health Educator with the Florida Department of Health. “The healthy cooking demos, health and information services and mini-exercise classes are the perfect complement to the Market’s locally grown produce, local art, live music and upbeat atmosphere. It’s all fun, fresh and informative. What could be healthier than that?”

The schedule of interactive demonstrations and activities includes:

10 and 11:30 a.m.: Healthy Cooking Demonstration with Jayson Kupferman, director of Food & Nutrition Services at Manatee Memorial Hospital. Kupferman will be joined by Sabrina Livshin, Clinical Nutrition Manager at MMH, who will answer questions about healthy recipes and nutrition. Attendees will learn healthy cooking techniques and also get to sample the delicious, nutritious and healthy meal.

Hourly: Wheel of Fortune – the Healthy Edition where attendees can spin the wheel and play for prizes.

Peg Haynes, the market’s manager, says there will be plenty of other events happening during the rest of the season.

“We also feature Mainly Art, an arts and crafts market held on the third Saturday of each month, featuring the work of 20+ local artisans and live music. 4th Avenue adjacent to Old Main Street is the location for numerous other special events at the market,” she says.

The Downtown Bradenton Farmer’s Market is 9 a.m.-2 p.m., on Old Main Street, between Manatee Avenue West and 3rd Avenue West in downtown Bradenton. Parking is free and dogs on leashes are welcome. For more information about the Bradenton Farmers’ Market, visit www.BradentonFarmersMarket.com.

The 2015-2016 sponsors of the Bradenton Farmers’ Market are the Bradenton Herald, Bright House Networks, Downtown Development Authority, Florida Blue, Manatee Community Federal Credit Union, and Mosaic.

Upcoming Events:

March 5: ArtSlam: Downtown Bradenton will be transformed into an innovation zone as students and creatives take over Old Main Street. This fifth annual event in downtown Bradenton features young artists, musicians and performers, site-specific art installations, and interactive art experiences.

April 30: 2nd annual Children’s Book Fair and Family Fun Day in partnership with Manatee County public libraries and ABC Artisans of Books for Children and Adults. Features more than a dozen local authors and illustrators of children’s books, storytelling, a scavenger hunt, and numerous other fun activities for the kids.

May 7: Celebration of the Performing Arts and Student Art Sale: Students from Manatee County schools share their performance talents and offer their art for sale.

For more information about the Bradenton Farmers’ Market, visit www.BradentonFarmersMarket.com. Prospective vendors may apply by completing the online application form.

About the Bradenton Farmers’ Market

The Bradenton Farmers’ Market, a production of Realize Bradenton, features more than 30 vendors who offer locally grown fruits, vegetables, plants, organic products, prepared foods, and the work of local artists and craftspeople. Live music, demonstrations by local chefs, and free family activities are also part of the fun. The market, located on Old Main Street, between Manatee Avenue West and 3rd Avenue West in downtown Bradenton, is open on Saturdays through May, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parking is free and dogs on leashes are welcome. For more information, visit: www.BradentonFarmersMarket.com.

About Realize BradentonRealize Bradenton is a non-profit organization that brings people together to create a vibrant and prosperous Bradenton area. For more information, visit: www.RealizeBradenton.com.